History & Opinion

Wall Street Journal article on impact of post office closings on remote rural areas:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704881304576094000352599050.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Opinion articles and important information about post offices closings can be found here:  http://www.savethepostoffice.com/summary-july-2011-closing-lists

Daily Yonder article about history of post office closings from 1970: http://www.dailyyonder.com/closing-rural-po-ko-punch/2011/08/12/3472

At almost every local hearing in north central Arkansas, Postal Service employees are asked the same question:  Why was the Post Office at Geep already closed?  The standard answer to that has been "because the Postmaster Relief (PMR) decided to quit and we couldn't find anyone to take her place" and "it's not closed, just suspended."  Below are two documents: the text from the EMERGENCY SUSPENSION NOTICE sent to all Geep PO customers and a letter to the editor of the Harrison Daily Times written by the former Geep PMR.  They tell two very different stories.  People are finding the hearings unhelpful and the Postal Service employees conducting them disingenuous.  It is looking more and more like a railroad job by the USPS on rural post offices and rural communities.  It's time our elected representatives stood up to the people behind the destruction of one of our most cherished government services.
EMERGENCY SUSPENSION NOTICE Sent to All Gepp Postal Customers from USPS Study Coordinator, Operations Programs Support, 420 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205-9321


An Emergency Suspension of operations has been initiated on Gepp Post Office.  The Postmaster Relief (PMR) has decided not to continue her employment with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).  PMR positions are for non-career employees hired for a term not-to-exceed 360 calendar days, followed by a five day break in service. A PMR reappointment was offered but again the PMR decided not to continue her employment with the USPS. Unable to find a replacement, a suspension of operations at Gepp was necessary.


While the office is suspended, PO box service will be available from the Viola Post Office located 6 miles from the Gepp office at 9971 Highway 62 W.  Customers presently receiving rural delivery will not experience a change in service, with the exception of picking up parcels and accountable mail at the Viola office.  Customers currently using Gepp in the last line of their mailing address will continue to Gepp, AR 72538.


Retail Service will be available from the Viola Post Office.  Window service hours at Viola are from 7:30-12noon/1:00-4:00pm Monday-Friday, and 9:00-11:00 am on Saturdays.


If you have additional questions, please contact the Viola Post Office at (870) 458-2204.


LETTER TO EDITOR:  USPS Suspended Gepp PO
The Emergency Suspension Notice that was sent out to the Gepp Postal Customers the week of Sept. 15 contained information that was outright false.


The Study Coordinator stated in the notice that the operations at Gepp PO were suspended because I decided not to continue my employment with the USPS and they could not find a replacement.  


The PO did not close because I resigned.


MPOO Shane Davis arrived at Gepp Post Office the morning of Sept. 8 and told me the office was being suspended.


No warning to myself or the patrons of the PO! PO boxes were tore out of the wall and the doors were locked.


I was offered a transfer to a neighboring office.  My job would be 2 hours on Saturday and a floater within a 50 mile radius.


At the time I had been working 30 plus hours a week.  I did not resign until 4 days after the closure of the Gepp Post Office.  I want the residents of Gepp to know the truth.


Karen Shrable, Gepp